Job overview
We are recruiting an enthusiastic and compassionate Assistant Psychologist to join us at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust Low Secure Services, which form part of the Rehabilitation and High Support (RHS) Care hub. The post will suit a motivated candidate who wishes to gain experience of promoting psychological perspectives within inpatient services.
There is 1x 12 months fixed term full time role available and 1x 12 months fixed term part time (18.75 hours).
Prospect Place is part of the Rehabilitation and High Support Care Hub in Pennine Care. Prospect Place is a 45-bed low secure unit that opened in 2011 and is based on the site of Birch Hill Hospital in Rochdale. The unit is for men aged 18 to 65 years, who have a diagnosed psychotic disorder, and have been detained under the Mental Health Act. Alcohol and drug misuse are often a part of the problems faced by patients. A secure setting may be required to help address challenges around the patient's view of their illness and the vulnerabilities and risks to themselves and others that may result from this.
There is free parking at Birch Hill Hospital site and allocated office space.
Main duties of the job
Clinical
You will support the lead psychologist to promote psychological perspectives on the ward. You will be expected to offer assessment, formulation and interventions to the men. You will also facilitate skills-based groups, such as mindfulness. You will also support the wider MDT to develop individual positive support plans with service users.
You will support the implementation of a trauma-informed approach on the ward by co-facilitating Team Formulation meetings and Reflective Practice sessions. You will also be responsible for administrative tasks such as preparing notes on individuals backgrounds, data input and spreadsheet management.
You will receive clinical and line management supervision from either a Practitioner Psychologist and join peer supervision with other Assistant Psychologists.
Working for our organisation
Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the top of our agenda. We believe that a diverse, inclusive and engaged culture is vital; that everyone’s value should be recognised and respected.
We proactively challenge injustices, and are the only Trust in the North West to publicly recognise our commitment to becoming anti-racist and supporting our transgender and non-binary colleagues. We also have thriving staff networks to make sure everyone has a voice.
Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. We’re really proud of our #PennineCarePeople and do everything we can to make sure we’re a great place to work.
We are committed to staff development through shared learning, training and peer supervision. We are working hard at Walkerwood to reduce restrictive practices, and to provide trauma-informed care.
Our trust values are:
Kindness
Fairness
Ingenuity
Determination
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification to support your application for this post. Please refer to the essential criteria in the person specification which will highlight the skills, knowledge and experience you will need to demonstrate in your application, by way of example, to give yourself the best opportunity to be shortlisted.
Person specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential criteria
* A first or upper second class honours degree in psychology
* Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
Desirable criteria
* Further post graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and / or research design and analysis
Experience
Essential criteria
* Experience of working clinically in mental health settings.
* Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team.
Desirable criteria
* Previous experience working as an Assistant Psychologist.
* Experience of working with complex mental health difficulties
* Experience of working with behaviour that challenges
* Experience using word processing tools, spread sheets and statistical packages for data analysis.
* Experience of service evaluation.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Have an understanding of psychological approaches to understanding complex mental health difficulties
* Have an understanding of the principles of a trauma-informed approach
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
* High level of communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive and challenging.
* Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues in way that enhances psychological mindedness.
Desirable criteria
* Ability to design and evaluate research projects relevant to Applied Psychology.
Work Related Circumstances
Essential criteria
* Use of a car or access to a means of mobility to travel across the Trust footprint in line with service needs
* Willing to carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with the Trust’s Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies
* Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure.
We also offer virtual application support sessions each month, where you will learn some hints and tips to support you in completing your application form. To secure your place, and to find out more visit the on our website.
Sponsorship - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the
What happens after your application has been received?
You will be informed about the progress of your application following shortlisting via email. Only applicants who clearly demonstrate the criteria listed in the person specification will be shortlisted for interview. Interview invites will be sent out via email.
What happens if I am offered the position after interview?
The hiring manager will make contact with you to verbally offer you the position. The hiring manager will then inform Recruitment of the decision and provide relevant paperwork. You will be sent a formal conditional offer via email.
What pre-employment checks will I need to complete?
By conducting pre-employment checks, the recruitment team will verify that you meet the pre-conditions of the role you have been offered. Pre-employment checks will be carried out according to. The checks are:
* Identity verification
* Right to work check
* Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role)
* Professional registration and/or qualification check
* Occupational health assessment
* Employment history and reference validation
All applicants external to the NHS will be required to provide their to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history and references as part of pre-employment checks.
If you are offered a position with us and you require sponsorship to support your right to work, we will review your eligibility in line with. If the role you have been offered is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not able to evidence own your right to work, your conditional offer could be withdrawn.
What happens when pre-employment checks are complete?
Recruitment will liaise with you and the hiring manager to arrange a start date for your new position. You will then be booked on to a Trust Welcome Session and be sent your Pennine Care NHS Terms and Conditions.
Other important information
* We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and recognise the importance of ensuring our diverse service user population is reflected within our workforce. Unfortunately, we know that, at present, there is underrepresentation of our communities in our workforce. We welcome applications from people from diverse communities to help us grow, learn, be better and consider brilliant innovation diverse people bring.
* If you would like to be considered under the disability confident scheme, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria on the person specification for the post.
* If you require reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process please phone us on 0161 716 3181 at the earliest opportunity. We will support you to complete your application.
* Unfortunately we are not able to guarantee the transfer of lease cars, or cover the costs of early termination charges.
* We have a strict policy on unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies. Please do not contact our hiring managers directly.
We reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date if a sufficient number of applications have been received. To ensure you application is considered, please submit at the earliest opportunity.
If you have problems applying, contact
Address
Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
225 Old Street
225 Old Street
OL6 7SR
Telephone
01617163181